Rama VI Bridge
Encyclopedia
Rama VI Bridge is a railway bridge
over the Chao Phraya River
in Bangkok
, in Thailand
, connecting the districts Bang Sue
and Bang Phlat
. It was the first bridge to cross the Chao Phraya River. Construction started in December 1922 during the reign of Rama VI
to link the Northern and Eastern rail lines with the southern rail lines. It was officially opened on 1 January 1927. The bridge was severely damaged during World War II
, was repaired 1950-1953 and officially reopened on 12 December 1953.
The bridge is located 13.149 km from Hua Lamphong
(Bangkok
) railway station, between Bang Son and Bang Bamru stations. The bridge has 5 spans, all of through-truss design: 77.26, 83.46, 120.00, 83.46 m and 77.26 m respectively, for a total length of 441.44 metres. It is thus the longest railway bridge in Thailand, almost 110 metres longer than its nearest rival, the 132.00 metre River Kwai
bridge near Kanchanaburi
.
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
over the Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It runs through Bangkok, the capital city, and then empties into the Gulf of Thailand.-Etymology:...
in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, connecting the districts Bang Sue
Bang Sue
Bang Sue is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Its neighbor, clockwise from east, are Chatuchak, Dusit and Bang Phlat, and Bang Kruai and Mueang Nonthaburi .-Places:...
and Bang Phlat
Bang Phlat
Bang Phlat is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Its neighbor, clockwise from north, are Amphoe Bang Kruai of Nonthaburi Province, Bang Sue, Dusit, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok Noi, and Taling Chan districts of Bangkok.-History:...
. It was the first bridge to cross the Chao Phraya River. Construction started in December 1922 during the reign of Rama VI
Vajiravudh
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Phra Bat Somdet Phra Ramathibodi Si Sintharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VI was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death...
to link the Northern and Eastern rail lines with the southern rail lines. It was officially opened on 1 January 1927. The bridge was severely damaged during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, was repaired 1950-1953 and officially reopened on 12 December 1953.
The bridge is located 13.149 km from Hua Lamphong
Hua Lamphong
Hua Lamphong Railway Station , officially known as the Bangkok Railway Station, is the main railway station in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the center of the city in Pathum Wan District, and is operated by the State Railway of Thailand....
(Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
) railway station, between Bang Son and Bang Bamru stations. The bridge has 5 spans, all of through-truss design: 77.26, 83.46, 120.00, 83.46 m and 77.26 m respectively, for a total length of 441.44 metres. It is thus the longest railway bridge in Thailand, almost 110 metres longer than its nearest rival, the 132.00 metre River Kwai
Khwae Yai River
The Khwae Yai River , also known as the Si Sawat , is a river in western Thailand. It flows for about 380 kilometres through Sangkhla Buri, Si Sawat, and Mueang Districts of Kanchanaburi Province, where it merges with the Khwae Noi to form the Mae Klong River at Pak Phraek subdistrict.The famous...
bridge near Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi ) is a town in the west of Thailand and the capital of Kanchanaburi province. In 2006 it had a population of 31,327...
.
External links
- Photo of the original bridge, State Railway of Thailand. Retrieved on 6 January 2008
